Machine for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes.



E. BROTHERS.

MACHINE ron use IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30. I908.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

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E. BROTHERS.

MACHINE FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30.1908.

1,135,945. Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

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E. BROTHERS.

MACHINE FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES.

APPLICATION FILED :unzso, 190a.

1,1 35,945. Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

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E. BROTHERS.

MACHINE FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30.1908.

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E. BROTHERS.

MACHINE FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES.

APPLlCATION FILED JUNE a0. 1905.

1,1 35,945. Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

E SHEETS-SHEET 5.

E. BROTHERS.

MACHINE FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES. APPLICATION FILEDsun: so. 1908.

1,135,945. Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELI BROTHERS, OI LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY,A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

COMPANY,

TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY MACHINE FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS ANDSHOES.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

Continuation of application Serial No. 320,810, filed June '7, 1906.This application filed June 30, 1908.

Serial No.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELI BRo'rHERs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Lynn, in the county of Essex and Commonwealth ofMassachusetts, have invented certain Implrovements in Machines for Usein the anufacture of Boots and Shoes, of which the followingdescription, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is aspecification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating likeparts in the several figures.

This invention relates to machines for working uppers over lasts and hasfor its general object to provide a machine by which in successiveoperations a shoe upper may be pulled-over or drawn into preliminaryposition and adjusted on the last and then lasted or finally conformedto the shape of the last, and this application is-a continuation of anapplication for Letters Patent of the United States for pullingover andlasting machines, Serial No. 320,610, filed June 7, 1906, so far as saidtwo applications disclose common subject-matter.

It has heretofore been the practice to pullover a. shoe by hand or by apulling-over machine and thereafter to last the shoe in a lastingmachine. The present invention combines in one machine provision forpulling-over the shoe and provision for lasting the shoe.

This invention has the advantage of reducing the number of machines orindependent operations required for the manufacture of a shoe, thuseconomizing time and factory space and saving at least one handling ofthe shoe.

Another advantage of this invention is that the lasting of the shoe maybe performed immediately after the pulling-over operation and it is,therefore, unnecessary to secure the upper by temporary fastenings forholding it between the pulling-over and lasting operations as hasheretofore been necessary.

The invention has numerous other advantages which will be understood bythose familiar with the manufacture of shoes, some of which advantageswill be hereinafter pointed out.

As I am advised it is new with me to provide a machine in which a shoeupper and a last can be relatively moved to stretchthe upper and toadjust it with its lines as, for example, the toe tip seamin desiredrelation to the last and which is provided with means for lasting theshoe.

One important feature of this invention consists in novel mechanism forpulling-over a shoe, comprising means for gripping the upper at oppositesides of the last and means for relatively actuating the gripping meansand the last to pull the upper, said mechanism having provision forallowing relative movement of the last and upper to adjust the last withrelation to the upper. As herein shown the last is rested against anabutment about which the last may be moved as a fulcrum or pivot foradjusting it with relation to the upper held by the grippers. In theillustrated embodiment of the invention the machine is constructed andarranged to present unobstructed space about the bottom and sides of thelast to allow for movement of the last. This construction permits thelast to be turned about an axis extending in the direction of thethickness of the last. This adjustment may be useful for straightenirigthe last and toe tip seam relatively. The last may also be turned aboutan axis extending lengthwise of the shoe. By this means the relativepull on the two sides of the up or may be varied or the last may beshifte rotatively in the upper for positioning the last transverselywith relation to the median line or lace opening of the upper. A furtheradjustment of the last may be made by tipping the last about an axisextending transversely of the last bottom. In this Way the upper may betightened or slackened as to its longitudinal strain over the top of thelast. In addition to these movements the last may be adjusted lengthwisein the upperas, for instance, to position the toe tip seam and the endof the last relatively. In practice it is im ortant that the toe tipseam of each shoe of a pair of shoes be located at the same distancefrom the end of the shoe and it is the, custom of hand workmen inpullingover shoes to apply a measuring instrument to each shoe and thento pull the uppers longitudinally until each tip seam is in the sameposition.

In accordance with a feature of this invention the machine is providedwith a heel engaging member and with manually operated means foractuating it to move the last longitudinally with relation to thegrippers which hold the upper whereby lengthwise adjustment of the lastand upper relatively can be effected. Preferably the grippers areconstructed and arranged to hold the upper away from the sides and edgesof the last whereby the last can be moved more readily under or withrelation to the upper. As herein shown, the grippers engage the upper atthe end and at opposite sides of the forward portion of the last and areformed with substantially continuous curved jaws for receiving the edgeof the forward portion of the upper from one side around the toe end tothe other side. The curvature of the gripper jaws is preferably greaterthan that of the end of the last so that the jaws are adapted to receivein its normal outstanding or flaring position the marginal portion oredge of an upper loosely applied to the forward portion of a last.

These features of the invention are believed to have great advantages ina machine of this class, particularly in facilitating the making of theshoe without forming wrinkles in the upper.

A valuable characteristic of the preferred construction of the machineis that the several parts of the mechanism are arranged to permit to theoperator an unobstructed view of the top and preferably also the sidefaces of the shoe so that he may be aware, as the operation proceeds, ofthe fit and position of the upper upon the last and may tip or rock thelast as may be required to correct any defects that may be observed infit of the upper or make any adjustments that may be required. As shownthe abutment for the last is the part which is actuated while thegrippers have no movement to pull the upper. This abutment is manuallymoved as herein illustrated and this gives opportunity for theadjustments of the upper and last to be made while the pulling is beingeffected if desired and before the maximum pulling tension is applied tothe upper. This arrangement for manual relative actuation of theabutment and the grippers to pull the upper also permits the tension onthe upper to be relaxed to reduce the frictional engagement of the uppermaterials with the last and facilitate the adjustment of the last in theupper.

A further feature of this invention consists in forming in sectionsgripper jaws which together are shaped and arranged to adapt them to thecurvature of the last. As herein shown, the jaws are formed in right andleft sections which can be adapted to the shape of the last whereby wideand narrow lasts can be provided for and also crooked lasts in which theshapes of the two sides of the forward portion of the shoe differ fromone another in the right and left lasts. The sectional aws may be madereadily removable so that one or both can at any time be replaced byanother of different shape, but preferably and in accordanee with afurther feature of this invention which is believed to be of muchimportance in machines of this class the jaws are shiftable to adaptthem to the contour of the last over which the upper is to be pulled andpreferably the jaws are operatively connected with means by which theycan be readily adjusted. The adjustment of the jaws or sections havingopposed gripping faces may well be effected simultaneously andadvantageously the adjustment of the sections at opposite sides of theshoe will be separately effected so that the jaws may be adapted toright and left crooked lasts. As herein shown, the jaws are secured ontheir carriers by pin and curved slot connections, the slots beingformed to predetermine the direction of the movement of the jaws whenthey are adjusted in the illustrated construction to insure that thesections turn about an axis located substantially in the gripping facesso that a substantially continuous gripping face will be maintained bythe several sections in their different adjustments. The jaws are shownas having toothed outer edges that are engaged by pinions on adjustinshafts and locking means is provided for securing the parts in theiradjusted positions. The movable jaws or sections slide on the pinions intheir opening and closing movements to grip and release the upper.

A further feature of the invention consists in the novel constructionand relative arrangement of the mechanism for lasting the shoe after ithas been pulled-over. While in its broadest aspect, the invention is notlimited to any particular form or arrangement of devices for lasting theshoe, as herein shown there are employed for this purpose wipersconnected with actuating mechanism by which they are advanced lengthwiseof the last and simultaneously closed inwardly from the opposite sidesof the last to lay the upper over the last bottom. For sustaining thelast against the pressure of the wipers a rest is provided which ismovable longitudinally of the shoe from a position above and out ofoperative relation with the shoe. The top face of a shoe adjacent to itstoe end is somewhat sloping and the rest is preferably arranged formovement along this sloping face until it comes into firm bearing withthe shoe. By this arrangement the rest automatically adjusts itself intoposition for supporting against the pressure of the wipers shoes ofslightly different thickness. The same end would of course be gained ifthe rest were movable in a guideway inclined to the plane in which theshoe stands. As herein shown, provision is made for actuating the restperpendicularly to the plane of the shoe bottom to force the shoebackward against the wipers for pressing the overlaid upper into placeagainst the innersole.

A further broad feature of this invention consists in the cooperativerelation which exists between the upper seizing and holding means andthe wipers. This means is shown as comprising a member over which themarginal edge of the upper can be outspread and upon which the upper canbe held by the other member to maintain the upper free from wrinkleswhile the wipers move under the holding means to lay the upper smoothlyover the last bottom. These members, herein illustrated as curvedsectional gripper jaws and frequently referred to as jaws for thepurpose of designation without any intention to imply a limitation as totheir construction, form means independent of the wipers for holding theupper at the toe outspread. while the wipers advance and close. Theaction of the jaws in so holding the edge of the upper outspread andunder ten sion prevents the formation of wrinkles while the wipers laythe upper over the last bottom. As shown in the accompanying drawingsthe upper gripping and holding jaws are substantially coextensive withthe wipers and they hold the upper outspread at the sides of the toeadjacent to the ends of the wipers and the tip seam, as well as aroundthe end of the toe. The efliciency of the end portions of the wipers inlasting the upper tightly at the sides of the toe is greatly increasedby holding the upper from slipping freely during the closing of the jawsat the sides of the toe. Advantageously the combination operates to holdthe upper away from the side faces of the last near the edge of the lastbottom while the upper is being stretched and until it is folded orwrapped across the edge of the sole. It is contemplated that while thewipers are being closed the upper holdin pressure on the upper will berelaxed su ciently to allow its edges to be pulled under tension fromthe jaws. The provision herein described for adjustment of the upperholding jaws enables them to be used in cooperation with wipers ofvarying shapes in lasting wide and narrow shoes or right and leftcrooked shoes.

The lasted upper may be secured in overworked position in any suitablemanner and as herein shown means is provided for inserting tacks. Thesetacks may be driven at appropriate distances apart for holding the upperin lasted position, but preferably in machines designed for operating onwelt shoes two tacks only will be driven at each side of the last andthe wipers will form in the overworked upper material forced against theusual rib of the welt innersole an angular seat or crease to receive awire, tape,

or the like by which the up er between the tacks will be bound in lastedposition.

These and other features of the invention, including certain details ofconstruction and combinations of parts, will be hereinafter describedand pointed out in the claims, but the improvements in methods of makingshoes herein disclosed is claimed in a divisional application Ser. No.851,194, filed July 15, 1914.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying the presentinvention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is a perspective view ofthe lower portion of the machine showing the arrangement of treadles.Fig. 4 is a side elevation, partly in vertical section, showing therelative position of the parts when the upper has been gripped andpulled to some extent. The dotted lines indicate po sitions to which theshoe may be moved for varying the relative strains on different portionsof the upper and adjusting the last and the upper relatively. Fig. 5 isa perspective view showing the forward portion of the upper looselyapplied to the last and illustrating the normal outstanding relation ofthe upper to the side faces of the last. Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9 showsuccessive stages in the operation of pulling the upper, relativelyadjusting the upper and the last, and working the whole upper over thelast bottom into lasted position. Fig. 10 shows the forward portion of ashoe which has been pulled over and lasted by the machine. Fig. 11 showsa horizontal section through the machine and illustrates a shoe inposition for the upper to be gripped. Fig. 12 shows the grippers closedand the abutment advanced to force the last forwardly and stretch theupper between the last and the grippers. Fig. 13 shows the wipersadvanced to lay the upper over the last bottom, the grippers being open.This figure also shows the tack tubes advanced into position for thedrivin of the tacks. Figs. 14 and 15 are details 0 a pawlcontrollindevice. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of tie tacking mechanism locatedat one side of the shoe. Fig. 17 is a perspective view of some of theparts shown-in Fig. 16, other parts bein omitted. Fig. 18 is aperspective view 0 one of the wipers and its associated parts, includingthe side clamp which is carried by the wiper. Fig. 19 is a. perspectiveview of the grippers and their adjusting mechanism. Fig. 20 illustratesthe ap licatlon of a binder of continuous material for holding the upperin lasted position.

The machine comprises a head 2 which has a depending stem that extendsinto a. post or base 4. A screw 5 working in a clamp 6 gives provisionfor adjusting the head to position the operating devices at a convenientheight for the workman to see the shoe for ascertaining the relation ofthe different parts of the upper to the last as the operationprogresses. The clamp 6 may be tightened for securing the head inadjusted position. The head has on its front face an upright guidehaving a slide 10 in which is a shaft 12 having a hand lever ll and apinion 15 that engages a rack formed on the front face of the headwhereby the height of the slide can be adjusted. A pawl 16 on the handlever engages a fixed ratchet 18 to lock the lever and the pawl has aconnection with a finger bar 20 which is pivoted to the hand lever 14and acted upon by a spring For manipulating the finger bar 20 aspring-pressed plunger is mounted in the lever ll and has a taperinghead 24 movable between the inclined walls of the finger bar so thatwhen the head is depressed it turns the finger bar in the direction tolift the pawl from the ratchet. A block 30 is mounted for transversemovement in the slide 10 and carries the shoe rest which in turn ismounted on a block for adjustment from and toward the machine. The restis formed to receive the heel end of a shoe presented upright or toeupward. as shown in Fig. 2, and is arranged to support the shoe at asufficient distance outward from the head of the machine to permit theworkman to have a substantially unobstructed view of the sides as wellas the top face of the shoe and also to be able to see the shoe bottomto a considerable extent if occasion requires. The ad ustment of theoutwardly provides for lasts of different lasts having more restinwardly and properly positioning shapeas. for example, or lessspring-and a handled clamping screw 35 is arranged to lock the rest inits adjusted position. The several arrangements for shifting theposition of the rest permit it to be adjusted for differences in swingas well as spring of lasts so that the forward portion of differentlasts may be presented in substantially the same relation to the devicesfor operating on the shoe which occupy a fixed or constant position inthe machine.

The devices that operate on the shoe comprise gripper jaws 40. 40. 41,41 adapted to grip the upper at the end and at the opposite sides of theforward portion of the last. The jaws are formed in accordance with thecontour of the marginal portion of the upper as the latter. appliedloosely to the last. flares outwardly from the side faces of the last.as shown in Fig. 5. The lower sectional jaw 40, 40 has a formed edge,Fig. 19, conforming substantially to the outline of the toe of the shoeto be lasted and is mounted at the rear or upper side of the wiper sothat when the shoe is placed in the machine the outwardly flaredmarginal portion of the upper will be spread over it in position to begripped against the formed edge of the jaw by the cooperating member.which is the jaw ll, ll. The upper is thus gripped and heldindepemlently of the wiper plates 30. later described. and theirmovement is not resisted by the pressure of the holding member ll, ll.1t is to be noted that the jaw 40 does not move with the closing-inmovement of the wiper plates. nor with their advancing movement, overthe edge of the sole and therefore the edge of the upper is heldoutspread throughout the lasting operation and is prevented fromwrinkling. These jaws are preferably formed in sections (as shown bestin Fig. 19) which are arranged for relative adjust ment to adapt thegrippers for lasts of different widths or different shapes. The jaws 40are shown as mounted by pin and curved slot connections 42 on a fixedportion ll of the head. The jaws ll are held by similar pin and curvedslot connections to the movable plates 45, which are the heads of r'odsl6 through which the jaws ii are actu ated to seize and release theupper. The rods 46 are joined to the upper arms of bell cranks 50 whichare fulcrumcd at is on the head and are each pivoted to a forked upperend of a rod 52 that runs to a treadle 54. The treadle has a pawl 55which engages a ratchet 56 on the post l and is actuated by a lever 58arranged in the treadle to be engaged by the toe of the operators footresting on the treadle.

The jaws 40 are formed in transverse section or end elevation as shownin Figs. l and 11 with ribbed gripping faces on the marginal edge of therear side and an outwardly flaring neck between the gripping face andthe attaching portion for the purpose of accommodating the position ofthe outwardly flaring portion of the upper. The jaw 41 is angular intransverse view, as may be seen in said figures, with its gripping faceon its forwardly projecting edge and presents a space to the neck of thecooperating jaw to facilitate the insertion of the upper preparatory togripping it.

The relative movement of the grippers and the last for straining theupper is effected by forcing the last forwardly by an abutment or bottomrest 60, shown as a rod sliding in the machine head and connected at itsrear end with a bell crank 62 that is joined by a rod 64 to a treadle65. It is to be observed that the grippers receive the upper in itsnormal outwardly flared position so that no wrinkling or puckering ofthe edge of the upper is required for inserting it into the grippers. Itwill also be noted that in the illustrated construction the grippersmake continuous engagement with the u per on the forward portion of thelast rom one side of the shoe around the toe end to the other side sothat no wrinkle or fold is permitted to form in the edge portion of theupper. The grippers hold the upper in its normal outwardly flaringposition away from the side face of the last, as shown in Figs. 4.- and12, while it is strained over the top of the last to conform it to theirregular surface of the last with the least amount of friction andWithout opportunities for wrinkles to be started during the pullingoveroperation. After the upper has been stretched or pulled or while it isbeing strained the last may be moved to efiect proper relativeadjustment of the last and upper for correctly positioning the upperwith the lace opening or median line in the right location and with thetoe tip seam or line straight and at the right distance from the toe endof the last. This adjustment is efl'ected, as will be understood fromthe foregoing description of the machine, by moving the last withrelation to the abutment. The soleengaging end of the rest is so formedthat the last may be easily rocked or turned sidewise about itslengthwise axis for shifting the last in the upper in a directiontransverse to the last to locate the lace opening, and said rest is alsoformed to permit the last to be turned upon its rest as a pivot, byswinging the heel laterally and thus turning the last within the upperfor effecting a relative adjustment to straighten the toe tip seam. Foraccommodating these movements the bottom rest may advantageously have asingle engaging face upon which the last may be easily moved. Forrelatively adjusting. the last and upper lengthwise to position the tipseam at the desired distance from the toe end of the last or to stretchthe upper lengthwise the last may be moved by the heel rest and its operating lever 14. By moving the last upwardly as indicated in dottedlines in Fig. 4

-its toe portion is thrust into the gripped forward portion of the upperand while advancing stretches the upper len hwise and conforms ittightly to the sur aces of the toe end of the last. The bottom rest mayhave a smooth face engaging the innersole to facilitate this adjustmentof the last. For effecting the adjustment of the grippers which has beenreferred to these jaws are formed with teeth on their upper or outeredges, as shown in Fig. 19, and these teeth of each pair of jaws 40, 41are engaged by one long pinion formed on a shaft 72 which is rotatablein the head 2 and has an operating handle 75. The pinion permits thenecessary sliding movement of the jaws 41 that is incident to theirripping and releasing action. The pins of the pin and curved slotconnections 42 are preferably not set up tight, but permit the movementof the jaws by the shaft 72 at any time and the shaft has a ratchet thatis engaged by a pawl 74 for locking the gripper jaws in their adjustedpositions. The said curved slots are formed so that they compel the jawsin the adjusting movement to turn about a center which is locatedsubstantially at the point of contact of the jaws on one side with thejaws on the other side, whereby a substantially continuous gripping faceis maintained in all adjustments of the jaws. It will be observed thatthe jaws on the two sides of the machine are independently adjustable sothat they can be adapted to fit crooked lasts or lasts that have moreswing on the right side of a right last and the left side of a left lastthan upon the opposite sides. The adjusting mechanism is so arrangedthat the jaws can be adjusted if desired after a shoe has been gripped.

The wipers which represent, in the illustrated embodiment of theinvention, the preferred means for forcing the upper into lastedposition after it has been pulled over and adjusted upon the last aremounted in guideways in the front face of the machine head to which thevare held by stud and slot connections 82, as indicated in Fig. 1. Thewipers are connected by links 84 to an equalizing bar 85 pivoted on ablock 86 that can slide vertically in the guideway 87 in the cap of themachine. The block is connected to a lever 90 provided with a springpawl 89 adapted for engagement with a ratchet bar on the side of the capfor holding the lever and wipers in the positions to which they aremoved and more particularly for maintaining the wipers in their raisedposition. The wipers have edge plates 81 which may be removabiy attachedto the v portion of the wiper as shown in Fig. 18 so that thev can bereadil'v removed and replaced by others of different shape. In anotherconstruction shown in Fig. 20 the front plates 77, in which are locatedthe slots of the pin and slot connections 82, are pivoted together at 79at a point substantially concentric with the center of movement of thewipers and are connected to the head 2 by pin and curved slotconnections at 811 the slots bein formed concentric with the pivot 79. Ascrew 83 connects each of the plates 77 with the head. whereby saidplates may be separatelv adjusted for positioning the wipers initiallyand independently of their operation by the hand lever 90. By thisarrangement the wipers can be adiusted for shoes of different widths andcan also be adiusted readily for right and left crooked lane in the samemanner as the grippers. The screws 83 have handle pins to facilitatetheir manipulation and enable the operator to adjust the wipersconveniently even after a shoe is in the machine and without the use ofanv machine tools. The wipers are actuated while the upper is held undertension by the jaws 4:0, 41,. and in its normal, outwardly flaringposition where, as above stated, it is stretched without the formationof wrinkles. As the wipers close against the taut upper they force theupper over the edge of the last and innersole, as indicated in Figs. 8and 9 and in Fig. 13, to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 10.In a shoe having a lip or shoulder on the face of the innersole, as inwelt and turn shoes, the upper will be forced by the wipers into theangle between said lip or shoulder and the relatively thin feather edgeof the innersole into position to be sewn to the lip or shoulder. As maybe observed from Fig. 9, the wiper moves between the stationary jaw 40of the grippers and the cover plate of the machine head and is braced bysaid stationary jaw to resist the pressure exerted on the last by thetoe clamp. This arrangement insures that the wiper may be sufficientlyrigid without making it of too great thickness to permit it to workadvantageously between the grippers and the last. If the wiper were ofgreater thickness a greater length of upper material would be requiredin order that the upper should be securely seized by the grippers. Theprovision above described for adjusting the wiper plates permits them tobe positioned so that they will seat the upper accurately into the anglebetween the lip and feather on shoes varying in width or shape and byadjusting the wiper plate on one side of the machine with relation tothat on the other side the wipers may very quickly adapt themselves tothe shape of right and left crooked lasts. While the wipers are closingthe upper may be allowed to null under tension from between the jaws ofme grippers, which will be slightly released for this purpose, or thebottom rest may be gradually retracted so as to let the last approachthe plane of the wipers to provide the length of upper required forbending it into lasted position over the innersole, or the necessaryslack may be obtained both by retracting the abutment and by permittingthe upper to pull from the grippers. In any case the upper is maintainedunder tension until it has become clamped between the wipers and theedge of the last and there is no opportunity offered during the pullingand lasting operation for the formation of wrinkles in portion of theupper that will be visible in the finished shoe. In the illustratedmachine the operator manipulates the wipers manually as well as thebottom rest and the grippers so that the procedure may be varied and besuited to the conditions presented at different times and by differentkinds of work. For example, if the upper is a short one it will usuallybe best to retract -the bottom rest until the wiper clamps the upperrather than to allow the upper to pull from the grippers. Thearrangement which permits the last to be rocked and rolled relatively tothe bottom rest and to the wipers enables the operator to position lastsof different shapes with their bottom faces in operative relation to theplane of the wipers. In Fig. 7 the dotted lines indicate a. rockingmovement of the last by which the toe end is placed outside the plane ofthe wipers.

In making shoes on some styles of lasts, particularly those which have adeep concave on their top face over the ball of the foot, one of themost difficult portions to fit properly to the last and work snugly intolasted position is the portion extending over the said concave part ofthe last. It is particularly difiicult to wipe this portion into lastedposition without permitting it to slip back. For the purpose ofovercoming this difliculty the wipers are herein shown as.

provided with side clamps 92 yieldingly mounted and normally held inposition to clamp the upper against the side and edge of the last atabout the toe tip seam for holding the upper from slipping back while itis being wiped into position at this point. These side clamps yieldbackwardly with relation to the wipers as the latter advance so that theholding force of the clamps is increased as the grippers release theupper. It is contemplated that a binder of continuous material will beemployed for holding the upper in lasted position about the forwardportion of the last and in order to fasten the upper with increasedsecurity at the ball of the last where it is most likely to slip backanchor tacks for the binder and also preferably one or more other tacksare inserted at each side of the ball in the region of the side clamps.The tack-inserting mechanism will be described later.

Provision for further conforming the upper to the concave portion of thelast over the ball of the foot is found in a toe rest or clamp 100 whichmay comprise a relatively large block of yielding material, such asrubber, adapted to engage the top face of the shoe and be forced againstthe shoe for pressing the upper into the concave of the last andclamping it firmly against the last after the upper has been partiallyor completely pulled. The toe rest occupies during the pulling-over andadjusting operations an inoperative relation where it does not obstructthe view of the shoe,as for example, the dotted-line position shown inFig. 1. The clamp is mounted on a bent shank 102 by which the movementfrom inoperative to operative position may be effected. For conveniencethe shank 102 has operative connection with the lever 90 through whichthe wipers are actuated. This connection is formed by a lever 104connected at its upper end by a pin and slot with the lever 90 and atits lower end formed with teeth to engage a pinion 105 which is keyed tothe shank 102. The pin and slot connection between the levers 10 1 and90 permits the toe rest or clamp to be moved into operative position bya partial downward movement of the wipers so that if desired the clammay be moved into operative position be ore the wipers force the upperover the last bottom or come into a position to interfere with furtheradjusting and pulling of the upper. The said pin and slot connectionpermits the wipers to be further advanced for forcingthe upper intolasted position without necessarily disturbing the position of the toerest. For backing the rest up to clamp the shoe the shank has a coarsescrew thread, shown best in Fig. 11, which is engaged by a sprocketwheel 106 that is located between collars on the head 2 so that it canhave no movement lengthwise of the shank 102 but compels the wheel toproject the shank endwise when the wheel is rotated. For turning thewheel a suitably formed endless chain 108 is provided which extendswithin convenient reach of the ,operator, as shown in Fig. 1. Thisarrangement gives sufficient speed and power to enable the operator toforce the rest back quickly and firmly for forcing the upper into theconcave of the last face and clamping it against the last and the lastin turn against the abutment 60. Other purposes served by the toe rest100 are that of holding the last against forward displacement by thewipers as the latter crowd the upper inwardly over the innersole andthat of forcing the last backwardly against the wipers after the latterhave wiped the upper into lasted position. By thus forcing the lastagainst the wipers the overlaid upper material may be firmly clamped andcrimped into lasted position and any inequalities or irregularities inthe portion of the upper overlying the feather of the innersole andbetween the lip and the edge of the shoe are well pressed out so thatthis portion of the upper is smooth and even and a well-defined edge isformed on the surface of the upperzatthe edge of the shoe.

The tack-driving mechanism heretofore briefly referred to is shown ascomprising means for inserting four tacks, two being located on eachside of the forward portion of the shoe and adapted to serve not only tofasten the upper at points of the greatest strain, but as anchor tacksfor a binder by which the toe portion of the upper is held. Obviously alarger number of tacks might be driven and distributed about the entireforward portion of the shoe to secure the upper by tacks alone. The tackholders or nozzle 120 project from a tack block 122 that is shown bestin Figs. 2 and 16 and receives a driver head 124 having driver bars 125.The driver head is engaged by the lever 126, see

Fig. 2, on the hub of which is a coil spring 128 through which power isderived to insert the tacks. The lever 126 has a handle 130 to actuateit for compressing the driver spring 128 and a latch 132 for holding thelever forward with the spring under tension.

In order that the nozzles 120 may occupy during the pulling-over andlasting operations a retracted position where they will be out of theway of the parts employed during those operations the entire tack block122 is arranged for movement toward and from the plane of the shoebottom. To this end-the tack block has tongue and groove connection witha plate 123 which in turn has a tongue and groove connection with thehead of the machine. This latter connection per mits a movement of thetacking mechanism transversely of the machine which will later bereferred to. The driver ,head is yieldingly connected to the tack blockthrough a cross bolt 135 and a spring 136 located in a slot in the head,as shown in Figs. 16-and 17. The tack block also has connection with anangle lever 150 fulcrumed at 152 and connected by a link 154 and a rod155 with a treadle 156. A swinging arm 157 is connected to the head ofthe rod 155 to be actuated thereby for engaging the tail of the latch132 and swinging that latch away from the driver 126 to release thatlever and per mit the insertion of tacks to take place. After the tackshave been driven the operator, by means of the handle 130, turns thelever 126 for setting the driver spring and a spring 159 acting on therod 155 raises that rod and the parts connected with it to turn theswinging arm 157 out of the path of the latch 132, which is actuated bya suitable spring into position to lock the driver lever 126. It isimportant to locate the tacks always in substantially the same relationto the edge of the shoe and for accommodating shoes of different widthsthere is an adjustable connection between the tack block 122 and thelever 150 by means of which the tacking mechanism may be shiftedtransversely of the machine, the block 123 sliding in the machine head.This adjustable connection is formed by a screw 140 confined by suitablecollars against lengthwise movement in the lever and having threadedconnection with the tack block as shown best in Fig. 16. The head of thelever 126 is wide enough so that the lever maintains engagement with thedriver head 124 in its different adjustments. The two driver levers 126for the two sides of the machine are fast on the same shaft 127 so thatboth levers are set together by the handle 130 and are released togetherby withdrawing the pawl or latch 132. The tacks are supplied by strips170 which are automatically fed through the guides'172 into the path ofthe drivers by ratchet bars 174 that engage the stems of the tacks closeto the strip. The ratchet bars are carried on a block 175 that ismovable on the guides 172, being pressed inwardly by the spring 176 thatsurrounds a rod 178 and being pressed outwardly by the engagement of theend of said rod by an incline face 179 on the driver head. It will ofcourse be understood that the tacking mechanisms on the two sides of themachine are alike except that both are connected with a single lever 126and the single treadle 156. The driver tubes are shown as provided withholders 190 that are adapted to receive a strand of binding material andhold it in position to be fastened to the shoe by the anchor tack as thelatter is driven. The binding material may be a wire having a loopformed therein which may be located by the operator and supported by theholders 190 in such relation to the driver passage that the tack will bedriven through the loop in the wire. The binder may also be a strand oftape or the like which will be supported across the end of the tube, asin Fig. 16, in osition to have the tack driven through it. After thetacks have been inserted the strand of binding material thus anchored atone end to the shoe may be passed by the operator around the toe of theshoe to the opposite side and as the toe clamp is retracted slightly thebinder may be drawn into hold ing position and then the shoe completelyreleased from the machine, after which the operator may fasten thebinder to the anchor tacks on the second side of the machine, or in casetape is used, he may insert manually a tack through the tape on thesecond side of the shoe to fasten it.

The operation of the machine, which has been largely explained inconnection with the description of the several mechanisms, may bebriefly restated to present it in a connected manner. The shoe may beprepared for the operation of the machine by applying an innersole tothe last bottom where it will preferably be fastened by one or moretacks, as is customary. The upper is then loosely applied to the last,the fore part of the upper presenting with relation to the sides of thelast substantially the appearance shown in Fig. 5. The shoe is thenrested upon the heel support 32, the latter being shifted if necessarylaterally, vertically, or forwardly to adapt its position for the sizeand the shape of the last upon which the particular shoe is to be made,it being understood that the position of the pulling-over and lastinginstrumentalities is constant in the machine. The grippers may beadjusted if necessary by the shafts 72 to adapt them to the width andthe shape of the particular shoe to be operated upon and likewise thewiper plates may be adjusted in accordance with the shape of the shoe inthe machine and for considerable variations in the width of the shoe thetacking mechanisms may be shifted inwardly or outwardly by the adjustingdevices 140. In presenting the shoe the outwardly flaring edges of theforward portion of the upper are thrust within the open jaws of thegripers in somewhat the manner suggested by Fig. 11. The formation ofthe jaws is well adapted for the reception of the upper in its normaloutstanding relation to the sides of the last. The grippers are thenclosed by their operating treadle and locked by the pawl 55. Theabutment or bottom rest 60 is then advanced by its treadle to force thelast outwardly from the machine for stretching the upper. The grippersare formed, as will be understood from the several views, on a largercurvature than that of the last so that the upper is pulled obliquelyaway from the sides of the last, being stretched over the top face ofthe last to the contour of which it is thus conformed with a minimumfrictional resistance to the pulling strain. The formation of thegrippers to receive and hold the upper in its normal outstandingrelation to the last enables the upper to be gripped and also to bepulled without crimping or folding it so that no wrinkles are formedwhile the upper is being pulled. It is also to be noted that the entireforward portion of the upper is pulled simultaneously, the grippers asshown having substantially continuous gripping faces extending about theforward portion of the shoe. The continuous gripping faces and theoblique pulling of the upper insure a. uniform and simultaneousstraining of the several portions of the upper over the last so thatunequal tensions on adjacent portions of the upper tending to producewrinkles are avoided. During or after the pulling of the upper the lastmay be shifted within the upper as has been described to any extent thatmay be required for properly positioning the upper on the last with theseveral lines, as the toe tip seam and the lace opening, in correctrelation to the last. It will be observed that the arrangement is suchthat the abutment may be retracted more or less for relaxing the tensionon the upper to permit the last to be easily adjusted within the upperor to be adjusted without such frictional engagement with the upper aswould interfere with the relative movement which it may be desirable toeffect between the upper and the last: The toe rest or clamp 100 isbrought into position over the top face of the forward portion of thelast by the lever 90 and then forced backwardly to clamp the upperagainst the top of the last, forcing it into the concave over the lastball. The upper having been pulled and adjusted into properpulled-overposition the wipers may be advanced to'finclose the line ofupper extending between the grippers and the last and by theircontinuous acting edge bend the upper inwardly over the last bottomwithout offering opportunity for the formation of wrinkles between thelast and the wipers. The abutment may be retracted to permit the last tobe drawn rearwardly by the action of the wipers and the grip ers may becaused to relax their hold on t e upper so that it may slip betweenthem. The side clamps 92 come into holding engagement with the upper atthe ball of the shoe before the upper is released and hold it at thispoint from slipping back. The toe rest or clamp may now be actuated toforce the last backwardly against the wipers to form or mold the upperagainst the last bottom and set it in its lasted position. On account ofthe conditions under which the entire forward portion of the upper issimultaneously stretched in pulling it over and is then wiped intolasted position without opportunity for the formation of any wrinkles,and the described provision for compressing or conforming the marginalportion of the upper against the innersole in its lasted position, theupper is well molded to the contour of the last and conditions are mostfavorable for it to retain that shape after the shoe is completed. Whenthe upper has been forced into satisfactory lasted position the wiperswill be slightly retracted to permit the tacks to be driven and thetreadle 156 will be depressed for first bringing the tack holders ornozzles 120- up to the last bottom and then tripping the latch 132 forcausing the drivers to be actuated for inserting the tacks. If desired,the end of the binder may be placed in the holder 190 at one side of themachine to be anchored at that time by the tacks as they are driven. Thebinder may then be assed around the shoe and held under tension untilthe shoe has been taken from the machine, after which it may be fastenedto one of the tacks on the other side of the shoe.

From the foregoing description of the illustratd machine and itsoperation the followin important observations are to be noted; t at thegrippers constitute up er holding means over one member of wh oh themargin of the toe portion of the upper which is to be lasted-in over theshoe bottom can be outspread in smooth unwrinkled condition; that theother member grips, that is, engages and holds by pressure, the marginin this smooth condition and said members maintain it smooth during theup-,

per stretching and the overwiping operations of the machine; that thewipers are 7 separate from the upper gripping members and move to carrythe upper inwardly to lasted position whlle the margin or edge of theupper is maintained outspread in unwrinkled condition by the grippingmemhere; that therefore the gripping members prevent the closing actionof the wipers from fulling the upper and forming wrinkles in it as theupper is laid over the edge of the shoe bottom.

It has heretofore been proposed to hold the upper against the wipers bya retarcler In the use of such a combination, in which the lower memberof the holder is formed by the closing wipers, the upper is failed bythe movement of the wipers instead of being maintained in its outspreadcondition and the smooth lasting obtained by this invention cannot besecured. A particular advantage gained by the present invention is thatthe upper holding jaws,

which are preferably independent of the toe wipers, prevent the upper atthe sides of the toe from being carried backwardly toward the heel bythe backward swinging of the wipers in their curvilinear movement, thuspreventing the fullness frequently found at the extreme ends of the toewipers, and if the upper holding jaws do not close with the Wipers overthe sides of the toe said jaws will produce tighter stretching of theupper under the extreme rear portions of the wipers than heretofore hasbeen obtained. l

In the provision and arrangement of upper holding members and wipers tosecure the above mentioned results in lasting the toe portion of theupper without wrinkles is to be recognized important features of thisinvention.

Having explained the nature of this invention and described aconstruction embodying it in the best form now known to me, I claim asnew and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States 1. Amachine for working an upper over a last having in combination, meansfor pulling-over the shoe including means permitting relative adjustmentof the upper and last, and means for lasting the shoe while the shoeremains the same side up in the machine as at the end of the pullingover operation.

2. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,mechanism for gripping the upper of the forward portion of the shoe andpulling-over the shoe, including means permitting relative ad- ;ustmentof the upper and last, means for asting the upper from a point on oneside of the toe around the toe to a point on the other side of the toe,and means for inserthaving, in combination, means for pullingover theshoe, including means permitting relative adjustment of the upper andlast, means for lasting a continuous section of the fore part of theshoe, and means for securing the lasted upper to the innersole.

4. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,means for pulling-over the shoe including means permitting relativeadjustment of the upper and last, and means for lasting a continuoussection of the upper extending completely around the toe of the shoe,said machine being constructed and arranged to permit the operator tohave a substantially unobstructed view of the top face of the shoeduring the operation of the pulling and lasting means thereon.

5. A machine for working an upper over a last arranged to support theshoe in upright position with the top face of the shoe toward theoperator and having, in combination, means for pulling-over the shoe,and wipers arranged to act upon the pulled upper while the upper is heldunder tension by the pulling-over means to force the upper intolastedposition upon the last bottom.

6. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,means for gripping the forward portion of the upper and pulling it onthe last including means permitting relative adjustment of the upper andlast, wipers, and means for actuating the wipers to work a continuoussection of the upper extending around the toe into lasted position whilethe shoe remains in the position that it occupied at the end of thepullingover operation.

7. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,means for gripping the forward portion of the upper and pulling it overthe last, wipers, and means for actuating the wipers to work the upperinto lasted position, said machlne having provision for relativelymoving the wipers and the last perpendicularly to the plane of the lastbottom to clamp the upper against the last bottom during the lastingoperation.

8. A machine for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes having, incombination, means for pulling an upper over a last arranged to permitrelative ad ustment of the last and the pulled upper, and means forworking a continuous section of the upper extending around the toe intolasted position.

9. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination.gripping means constructed and arranged to receive at the toe end and atthe opposite sides a substantial distance from the, toe end of a shoethe upper in its normal outwardly flared position relatively to theforward portion of the last and pull the upper on the last, andindependently actuated means for lasting the upper.

10. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,gripping means provided with substantially continuous gripping facesflared outwardly to seize the upper at the toe end and for a substantialdistance along the opposite sides of the shoe in its normal outwardlyflared position and pull it over the last, and independently actuatedmeans for lasting the upper of the forward portion of the shoe.

11. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,gripping means provided with substantially continuous gripping facesformed and arranged to receive in its normal, outwardly flared positionthe marginal portion of the upper at the end and for a substantialdistance along the sides of the forward portion of the shoe and to pullthe upper on the last, and independently actuated wipers arranged toembrace the forward portion of the shoe and force the upper into lastedposition.

12. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,gripping means, an abutment for the last, means for actuating saidabutment and gripping means relatively to pull the upper over the last,and means for forcing the pulled upper into lasted position, saidmachine having provisions for relaxing the pulling tension on the pulledupper at the toe and at both sides of the last simultaneously and forrelatively moving the upper and last to adjust the upper while thetension is relaxed.

13. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,means for pulling an upper over the last and means for working thepulled-over upper into lasted position, said machine being arranged topermit relative adjustment of the last and the pulled upper and havingprovision for relaxing the tension on the pulled upper at the toe and atboth sides of the last simultaneously while the adjustment is beingmade.

14. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means forsupporting a shoe with the toe uppermost in position to present to theoperator a substantially unobstructed View of the upper on the top faceand the sides of the last, means for pulling Ever the shoe, and meansfor forcing the pulled over upper into lasted position while the shoeremains in substantially the same position.

15. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means forsupporting a shoe in substantially upright position with the toeuppermost in position to present to the operator a substantiallyunobstructed view of the upper on the top face and the sides of thelast, means for pulling the upper over the last, and means for drivingtacks in position to fasten the upper.

16. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means forsupporting a shoe in substantially upright position with the toeuppermost in position to present to the operator a substantiallyunobstructed view of the upper on the top face and the sides of thelast, means for pulling the upper over the last, means for actuating thelast and the pulling means relatively to adjust the upper upon the last,and means for fastening the upper.

17 A machine of the class described, having, in combination, means forsupporting a shoe in position to present to the operator a substantiallyunobstructed view of the upper on the top face and the sides of thelast, means for pulling the upper over the last, means for actuating thelast and the pulling means relatively to adjust the upper upon the last,and means for lasting the pulled and adjusted upper.

18. A machine of the class described having, in combinatiommeans forsupporting a shoe in position to present to the operator a substantiallyunobstructed view of the up per on the top face and the sides of thelast, and means for pulling the upper over the last, said supportingmeans including a member that is arranged for movement in one directionto effect the pulling of the upper and a member that is movable in adifferent direction to effect adjustment of the last in the pulledupper.

19. A machine ofthe class described having, in combination, means forsupporting a shoe with the toe in upright position,grippers for pullingthe upper constructed with substantially continuous gripping facesarranged to receive the marginal edge of the upper at the end andopposite sides of the shoe, and means for forcing the upper into lastedposition.

20. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means forsupporting a shoe in upright position, grippers for pulling the upperconstructed with substantially continuous grippin faces arranged toreceive the marginal ed 0 of the upper at the end and opposite sides ofthe shoe, means for relativel actuating the grippers and support to pullthe 111))81', means for forcing the upperinto laste position, and meansfor inserting fastenings to secure the upper.

21. A machine for use in the manufacture of boots and shoeshaving, incombination, means for pulling an upper over a last arranged to permitrelative adjustment of the last and the pulled upper transversely of thelast, and means for working the upper into lasted position.

22. A machine for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes having, incombination, means for pullin an upper over a last, and means for workmthe upper into lasted position, said machine being construc ed andarranged to .permit relative adjustment of the last and the pulled up erlongitudinally of the last between the pu ling and the lastingoperations.

23. A machine for use in themanufacture of boots and shoes having, incombination,

means for pulling an upper over a last and actuating the gripping meansand the abutment to pull the upper, said machine being constructed andarranged to permit movement of the last upon the abutment as a fulcrumto adjust it Within the pulled upper, and means for inserting tacks atthe opposite sides of the shoe to secure the upper.

25. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means forgripping the upper at the end and the opposite sides of the forwardportion of a last, an abutment for the last bottom, means for relativelyactuating the gripping means and the abutment to pull t e upper, saidmachine being constructed and arran ed to permit movement of the lastupon tile abutment as a fulcrum to adjust it within the pulled upper,and means for working the upper into lasted position.

26. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means forgripping the upper at the end and the opposite sides of the forwardportion of a last, an abutment for the last bottom, and means forrelatively actuating the gripping means and the abutment to pull theupper, said pulling means being constructed and arranged to pull theupper at the sides and the end of the last outwardly at an oblique angleto the plane of the last bottom.

27. A machine for Working an upper over a last having, in combination,gripping means constructed and arranged to receive in its normal,outwardly flared position the marginal portion of the up er at the endand sides of the forward portion of the shoe, an abutment for thelastbottom, and means for relatively actuating the grippers and the abutmentin a plane substantially perpendicular to the last bottom to stretch theupper.

28. A machine for Working an upper over a last having, in combination,gripping means constructed with substantially continuous gripping facesand arranged to receive in its normal, outwardly flared position themarginal portion of the upper at the end and sides of the forward ortionof the shoe, an abutment for the last ottom,

and means for relatively actuating the grippers and the abutment in aplane substantially perpendicular to the last bottom.

29. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,gripping means constructed and arranged to receive in its normal,outwardly flared position the marginal portion of the upper at the endand sides of the forward portion of the shoe, an abutment for the lastbottom, and means for relatively actuating the grippers and the abutmentto stretch the upper, said machine having provision for further relativemovement of the last and the grippers to adjust the upper about thelast.

30. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,gripping means located at the sides and the toe end of the shoeconstructed and arranged to receive in its normal, outwardly flaredposition the marginal portion of the upper placed loosely upon the last,an abutment for the last bottom, and means for relatively actuating thegrippers and the abutment to stretch the upper over the last, saidmachine having provision for permitting relative movement of saidgrippers and the last to adjust the upper upon the last.

31. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,gripping means located at the sides and the toe end of the shoeconstructed and arranged to receive in its normal, outwardly fiaredposition the marginal portion of the upper placed loosely upon the last,an abutment for the last bottom, and means for relatively actuating thegrippers and the abutment to stretch the upper over the last, a rest forthe heel of the last movable manually while the upper is under tension,and means for locking the rest.

32. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,means for grippin the upper at opposite sides of the orvar portion ofthe last, and means, in-

cluding an abutment for the last, for relatively moving the grippers andlast to pull the upper, said machine having provision for permittingmovement of the last side- Wise relatively to the gripped upper,

A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination, meansfor gripping an upper at opposite sides of the forward portion of thelast, and means, including an abutment for the last, for relativelymoving the grippers and last to pull the upper, said machine havingprovision for permitting movement of the last about a center in theforward portion of the last to adjust the last and upper relatively.

34. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,means for gripping the upper at opposite sides of the forward portion ofthe last, and means for relatively moving the grippers and last to pullthe upper, said machine'including an abutment for the last about whichthe last may be turned to adjust the last and upper relatively.

35. A machine for Working an upper over a last having, in combination,means for gripping the upper at opposite sides of the forward portion ofthe last, and meansfineluding a'n abutment for the last, for relativelymoving the gripping means and last to pull the upper, said machinehaving provision for permitting turning movement of the last relativelyto the gripped upper about an axis extending longitudinally of the shoe.

36. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,means for gripping an upper at opposite sides of the forward portion ofthe last, and means, including an abutment for the last, for relativelymoving the grippers and last to pull the upper, said machine havingprovision for permitting movement of the last relatively to the grippedupper about an axis extending transversely across the last bottom.

37. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,means for gripping an upper at opposite sides of the forward portion ofthe last, means for relatively moving the grippers and last to pull theupper, a heel rest, means for actuating the heel rest to adjust the lastlongitudinally in the pulled upper, and means for forcing the upper intolasted position about the forward portion of the last.

38. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,means for gripping the upper at opposite sides of the forward portion ofthe last, an abutment for the last, means for relatively actuating theabutment and gripping means to pull the upper, said last being free tobe turned laterally about said abutment for adjusting the last relativelto the gripped upper.

39. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,an abutment for the last, gripping means constructed and arranged forengaging the upper at opposite sides of the forward portion of a lastand holding the upper laterally away from the side faces of the last,and means for relatively actuating the gripping means and abutment topull the upper, the machine being constructed and arranged to permit thelast to be swung laterally about said abutment as a center.

40. A machine for Working an upper over a last having, in combination,grippers constructed and arranged to engage the upper at the end and atopposite sides of the last, an abutment for the bottom of the last aboutwhich the last may be rocked forwardly and backwardly to vary the pullon the upper at the end of the last, and means for relatively A meansconstructed moving the grippers and abutment substantiallyperpendicularly to the last bottom for pulling the upper.

41. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,grippers constructed and arranged to engage the upper at the end and atopposite sides of the last, an abutment engaging the bottom of the last,and means for relatively moving the grippers and last for pulling theupper, said machine being constructed and arranged to permit movement ofthe shoe relatively to the abutment about an axis extendinglongitudinally of the last.

42. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,gripping means constructed and arranged to receive in its normal,outwardly flared position the marginal portion of the upper at the endand sides of the forward portion of the shoe, an abutment for the lastbottom, means for relatively actuating the grippers and the abutment tostretch the upper, and means for thereafter forcing the upper intolasted position over the last bottom.

43. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,gripping and arranged to receive 1n its normal, outwardly flaredposition the marginal portion of the upper at the end and sides of theforward portion of the shoe, an abutment for the last bottom, means forrelatively actuating the grippers and the abutment to pull the upper,and means presenting a substantially continuous acting edge to engagethe outwardly stretched upper and force it inwardly to lasted positionupon the last bottom.

44. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,gripping means constructed and. arranged to receive in its normal,outwardly flared position the marginal portion of the upper at the endand sides of the forward portion of the shoe, an abutment for the lastbottom, means for relatively actuating the grippers and the abutment ina plane substantially perpendicular to the last bottom, and wipers forforcing the upper inwardly to and over the edge of the last.

45. Amachine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,gripping means constructed and arranged to receive in its normal,outwardly flared position the marginal portion of the upper at the endand sides of the forward portion of the shoe, an abutment for the lastbottom, means for relatively actuating the grippers and the abutment tostretch the upper, and means for forcing the upper inwardly to lastedposition upon the last bottom, said stretching instrumentalities beingconstructed and arranged to maintain the upper under tension until it isclamped to the last bottom.

46. A machine for working an upper over.

a last having, in combination, gripping means constructed and arrangedto receive in its normal, outwardly flared position the marginal portionof the upper at the end and sides of the forward portion of the shoe, anabutment for the last bottom, and means for relatively actuating thegrippers and the abutment in a plane substantially perpendicular to thelast bottom to stretch the upper, said machine having provision forthereafter forcing the outwardly stretched upper inwardly to and overthe edge of the last into lasted position while maintaining it undertension. I

47. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,gripping means constructed and arranged to receive in its normal,outwardly flared position the marginal portion of the upper at the endand sides of the forward ort1on of the shoe, an abutment for the lastbottom, and means for relatively actuating the grippers and the abutmentto stretch the upper, said machine having provision for relativemovement of the last and the grippers to adjust the upper, and means forforcing the upper into lasted position.

48. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,gripping means constructed and arranged to receive in outwardlyextending position the marginal portion of the upper at the end andsides of the forward portion of the shine, as abutment for the lastbottom, means for relatively actuatiii the grippers and the abutment tostretc the upper, and means forforcing the upper into lasted position.

49. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,gripping means located at the sides and the toe end of the shoeconstructed and arranged to receive in its normal, outwardly flaredposition the marginal portion of the upper placed loosely upon the last,an abutment for the last bottom, and means for relatively actuating thegrippers and the abutment to stretch the up per over the last, saidmachine being constructed and arranged to permit the last to be movedupon the abutment as a fulcrum to shift it within the upper while thelatter is held by the grippers.

50. A machine fdr working an upper over a last having, in combination.gripping means located at the sides and the toe end of the shoeconstructed and arranged to receive in its normal, outwardly flaredposition the marginal portion of the upper placed loosely upon the last,an abutment for the last bottdlii, and means for relatively actuatingthe grippers and the abutment to stretch the upper over the last, saidmachine bein constructed and arranged to permit the ast to be turnedupon the abutment to vary the relative strains on different portions ofthe upper;

51. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,gripping means located at the sides and the toe end of the shoeconstructed and arranged to receive in its normal, outwardly flaredposition the marginal portion of the upper placed loosely upon the last,an abutment arranged to engage the bottom of the last at a substantialdistance back from the end, and means for actuating the abutment tostretch the upper between the last and the grippers.

52. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,gripping means located at the sides and the toe end of the shoeconstructed and arranged to receive in its normal, outwardly fiaredposition the marginal portion of the upper placed loosely upon the last,an abutment for the last bottom, and means for relatively actuating thegrippers and the abutmentto stretch the upper over the last, saidmachine having provision for further moving the last endwise relativelyto the grippers.

53. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,gripping means located at the sides and the toe end of the shoeconstructed and arran ed to receive in its normal, outwardly flareposition the marginal portion of the upper placed loosely upon the last,an abutment for the last bottom, and means for relatively actuating thegrippers and the abutment to stretch the upper over the last, a rest forthe heel end of the last arranged for movement endwise of the last andalso laterally thereof, and means for actuating the heel rest.

54. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,grippers for seizing the upper, an abutment for the last bottom, meansfor actuating the abutment to effect the pulling of the upper, andwipers for forcing the upper into lasted position over the last bottom,said actuating means being arranged for movement under control of theworkman to permit displacement of the last toward the grippers as thewipers bend the upper over the last bottom.

55. A machine of the class described, having, in combination, devicesfor pulling the upper at an oblique angle to the last bottom and forlaying it into lasted position over the last bottom, an abutment for thelast bottom, and means under control of the operator for actuating theabutment to effect a movement of the last from said devices during thepulling of the upper and for actuating the abutment toward said dc vicesduring the overlaying of the upper.

56. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,means for engaging the upper, means for engaging the last, means forrelatively actuating said engaging means to pull the upper about thelast, said machine being constructed and arranged to permit the last tobe adjusted in i the pulled up per for positioning it with relation tothe lines of the upper, and wipers for forcing the marginal portion ofupper over into lasted position upon the last bottom.

57. A machine for working an upper over a last having, in combination,grippers formed with substantially continuous gripping faces to engagethe upper from one side of the shoe around the toe to the other side ofthe last, means for closing the grip pers, means for relativelyactuating the grip pers and last to stretch the upper, means to wipe theupper over the bottom of the last, and means for inserting fastenings tosecure the upper.

58. A machine for pulling-over and lasting the forward portion of a shoehaving, in, combination, grippers constructed and arranged to havecontinuous engagement with the upper from one side of the forwardportion of the last around the toe to the other side of the last, meansfor closing the grippers, means for relatively actuating the grippersand last to stretch the upper, wipers constructed and arranged to havecontinuous engagement with the upper about the forward portion of thelast, and means for advancing the wipers relatively to the grippers andfor closing the wipers to lay the upper over the last at the end andsides of the forward portion.

59. A. machine for pulling-over and lasting the forward portion of ashoe having, in combination, grippers having a configurationcorresponding to the outstanding edge portion of upper material at theforward portion of a last, means for closing the grippers, means forrelatively moving the last and grippers substantially perpendicularly tothe last bottom to stretch the upper, and means for laying the upperover the last bottom, said machine having provision for relativemovement of the grippers and the last to adjust the upper upon the lastbe tween the pulling and the overlaying operations.

60. A machine of the class described having, in combination, pullingover means comprising grippers for engaging the upper at the toe end andat opposite sides of the last and arranged to pull the upper free fromthe side faces of the last, wipers for forcing the upper into lastedposition, and shoe supporting means, including an abutment for theforepart of the shoe, which is arranged to permit the last to be rockedto aline the plane of the last bottom relatively to the plane of thewipers.

61. A machine for pulling-over and lastin a shoe having, in combinationcurved grippers to engage the upper of the forward portion of a shoe,said grippers having a curvature of longer radius than the curvature ofthe forward portion of the last, means'for closing the grippers, meansfor relatively

